By Steve Earles
The acquisition of new vocalist Al Osta, replacing Orange Goblin’s Ben Ward, has only made Ravens Creed’s music even more brutal. Opening with “Stampede of Skeletons”, we’re treated to a mutant collision of Venom and Celtic Frost, complete with Tom G Warrior style death grunt! The excellently titled “Breaking The Lord” has a similar vibe to Kill ‘Em All era Metallica (long before they became ‘Rock Stars’!). The song-writing here is particularly excellent. “Shoot The Wounded” has a fantastic groove, and “The Wires Will Kill You” truly lives up to its name, with no track outstaying its welcomes.
Ravens Creed is a truly great British metal band, and along with such bands as the Meads of Asphodel and Old Corpse Road, are really flying the flag for true, trend-free, British metal!
(Doomentia Records)
